Jacket with belt arrangement for carrying at least a portion of the jacket or item around a user&#39;s person and method of use

ABSTRACT

A jacket includes a belt arrangement that allows the jacket to be held around a user&#39;s waist, to carry items on a user&#39;s back, or to gather a portion of the jacket around the user&#39;s person to reduce its overall length. A method of holding the jacket around a user&#39;s waist, to carry items on a user&#39;s back, or to gather a portion of the jacket around the user&#39;s person to reduce its overall length uses the belt arrangement of the jacket.

This application claims priority under 35 USC 119(e) based onprovisional patent application No. 62/468,537, filed on Mar. 8, 2017,incorporated by reference herein.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a jacket that employs a beltarrangement that permits a user of the jacket to hold or carry at leasta portion of the jacket around a user's person, or hold an item usingthe belt arrangement.

BACKGROUND ART

It is a common practice for people wearing a jacket to remove the jacketwhen the ambient temperature becomes too warm or the activity of theperson makes wearing the jacket uncomfortable. Often times, the arms ofthe jacket are used as ties to hold the jacket around the user's body,particularly the waist.

The present invention provides, in one embodiment, an improved way toretain or hold the jacket around a user's person

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is one object of the present invention to provide a jacket that hasan improved storage capability when still donned by a user.

In one embodiment, the jacket comprises a jacket body having a pair ofsleeves; and at least one belt attached to the jacket body. The belt isadapted to be extended from the jacket body with belt ends connectabletogether so that at least a part of the jacket body or an article oritem can be held around a user's body.

The belt can be attached to the jacket body at at least one portion ofthe belt. In one attachment mode, the belt is attached at a midportionthereof to the jacket. The belt can be attached to the jacket at an endportion thereof as well.

The belt can be hidden in the jacket body, whereby each end of the beltis extended from the jacket body through an opening in the jacket body.The openings in the jacket body can be in an outer or inner surface ofthe jacket. Further, the openings can be in a side part of the jacket,at a middle or bottom portion of the jacket, or in an armpit area. Atleast one end of the belt can be exposed at the opening to allowgrasping of the end by a jacket user to either hold the jacket to theuser, shorten the length of the jacket, or secure an item or article tothe user.

The belt can be held by loops attached to the jacket body or held in achannel formed in the jacket body. The belt ends can have buckles forconnecting the belt ends together.

While the belt can be unitary in design, a pair of belts can beemployed, with an end of each belt being connectable together.

The invention also includes a method of carrying a jacket around amidsection of a user. The method comprises donning the inventive jacketwithout using the belt thereof. Each end of the belt or belts can beextended from the jacket body and the ends of the belt or belts areconnected together around the midsection of the user or to secure anitem to the user using the belt or belts.

In one mode, the jacket can be a full length jacket with the beltlocated at a lower portion of the jacket. In this mode, the jacket canremain on the user and the belt ends can be connected to reduce thelength of the jacket. This in effect gathers a lower portion of thejacket around the waist of the user, thus making it easier for the userto walk around.

In another mode, the jacket can be removed from the user, i.e., armsremoved from the sleeves, and the connected belt ends gather the jacketas a whole around the midsection of the user.

In yet another mode, the arms of the user are in the sleeves of thejacket and the belt or belts are extended around an item or articlepositioned at a back of the user with the belts ends being connectedtogether to carry the item around a user's back.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front view of a first embodiment of the jacket of theinvention.

FIG. 2 shows the jacket of FIG. 1 removed from a user and put in astored position around a user's waist using the jacket belt.

FIG. 3 shows the jacket in an open position showing the belt holder onan inside of the jacket and a first embodiment of securing the belt toan inside of the jacket.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of a side portion of the jacket showing anexposed end of the belt in an armpit area of the jacket.

FIG. 5 shows a second embodiment of a way to secure the belt to aninside of the jacket.

FIG. 6 shows a third embodiment of a way to secure the belt to theinside of the jacket.

FIG. 7 shows a second embodiment of the jacket, wherein a full lengthjacket is used and the belt is located near a bottom portion of thejacket.

FIG. 8 shows the second embodiment of the jacket of FIG. 7, wherein thebelt is used to gather the jacket bottom around a user's waist.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

It is one object of the present invention to allow the wearer of ajacket the convenience of getting the garment off the upper body andsecured at the waist without having to completely remove it. In thisway, holding the jacket around the waist without being stowed awaycompletely means that the jacket can be quickly and can easily bebrought back up, covering the upper body once more.

The inventive jacket entails a design that allow the user to carry one'sjacket around his or her waist, thus not having to stow it or carry it,which may be an inconvenience. In one mode, an elastic belt isintegrated inside and across the mid back of the jacket that protrudesfrom under the right and left armpit area with connectors attached. Theelastic belt allows for full retractability of the connectors when notholding the article of clothing around one's body. The user simplyzippers the jacket far enough down to pull it off of his or hershoulders, grasping the connectors located under each arm and connectsthe two connectors together in front of one's self, preferably but notlimited, to one's waist.

The belt can also be clipped behind the user's back and used to holdloose clothing tight against the body that may interfere with whateverfunction the user is performing. These functions may include but are notlimited to the following: shooting a bow, construction work, workingwith equipment, sports, and any activity that having loose clothing mayhamper your performance or become entangled during a function.

The belt can also be located at a bottom part of a full length or longgarment or jacket. The belt can be used in this location to shorten thelength of the jacket by gathering the material of the jacket andsecuring the gathered material using the belt in a buckled state.

Referring to FIG. 1-4, the inventive jacket is designated by thereference numeral 10. FIG. 1 shows the openings 1 in the jacket thatallow the belt to be pulled from its storage position for clippingtogether to hold the jacket to the user's body. FIG. 2 shows the jacketremoved from the user's body and held around the waist of the user 4using the belt 3. The ends 5 of the belt are connected together at 7 tohold the jacket in place. FIG. 3 shows the inside of the jacket. Achannel 9 is included on the inside of the jacket. The channel 9 holdsthe belt in place during its storage in a retracted position as shown inFIG. 1 or an extended position as shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 shows a close up of the jacket opening 1 wherein the end of thebelt can be accessed for use. The belt clip 9 is shown protrudingslightly from the opening I that permits the user to grasp the clip andpull on it to extend the belt from the opening for connection to theother clip-containing end of the belt. A flap 12 or other type ofcovering can also be employed to cover the opening 1 to further hide thebelt end from view. The flap is shown in the open position to allowaccess to the opening 1 and clip 9. With the clip 9 and belt 3retracted, the flap 12 would be sewn such that is normally covers theopening unless physically moved out of the way to access the belt. Ofcourse, the flap is optional and the jacket could just have the opening,which can be preferably sized inconspicuously so that the opening is notreadily apparent to an onlooker.

FIG. 5 shows an alternative mode of holding the belt with the jacket.Instead of the channel 9 shown in FIG. 3, a plurality of loops areprovided, with the belt 3 extending through the loops. The belt 3 isattached at 15 so that it when each end of the belt is stretched, thebelt center remains stationary. This prevents one end moving when theother end is pulled on by a user. FIG. 5 can also be interpreted todepict two belt segments 3 a and 3 b, joined at the junction 15.

FIG. 6 shows another view of the jacket using the channel 9 for the belt3. Again, the belt is secured in a middle portion, i.e., at 15, so thateach end can be extended from the channel without affecting the otherend. Of course, the belt could be made in two segments for thisembodiment, with one end of each segment secured in the channel or loopsso that the other end can be extended for use.

FIG. 7 shows another embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment,the jacket is designated by the reference numeral 10′ and is a fulllength jacket as opposed to the jacket of FIG. 1. The jacket shownrepresents a tactical jacket that is donned by the wearer stepping intothe neck opening 20 and pulling the jacket up and over the wearer'sbody. However, the belt and its features can be used in any long garmentto shorten its length. It is especially useful for tactical jackets whenthe full length of the jacket is not needed.

The belt and structure in the jacket shown in FIGS. 1-6 is positioned ata bottom part 23 of the jacket 10′ with the belt buckles 25 and 27extending from the openings 1′. In operation, a wearer would gather thebottom part 23 of the jacket 10′ and raise it up closer to the wearer'swaist, grab both of the belt buckles 25 and 27, thereby extending thebelt from inside of the jacket and connect the belt buckles 25 and 27 sothat the length of the jacket is much shorter and the wearer has greatermobility. FIG. 8 shows a view of the jacket of FIG. 7 in a gatheredconfiguration. While the belt 3 and buckles 25 and 27 are shown, thefolds of the jacket created by the lifting of the bottom could alsoobscure the belt from being seen from the front. The embodiment of FIG.7 can of course employ any of the features of the invention associatedwith FIGS. 1-6 and the description thereof.

The free ends of the belt can be connected together using any knownconnection means, clips or buckles that are commonly employed to connectbelt free ends together, hook and loop fasteners, or the like. The beltis typically sized in length so at its rest position, the ends of thebelt are just accessible from the openings in the jacket but not seeneasily when the jacket is worn. This then gives the impression that thebelt does not exist and there is no affect on the overall look or designof the jacket.

If so desired, the belt could be held on the outside of the jacket aswell, but it is preferred to have the belt on the inside of the jacketso that it is hidden from view.

The belt can also be extended from the jacket and connected togetheralong the back of a user. In this mode, the belt could be used to holdan item or items on the user's back and the jacket would still be wornby the user.

While the belt is preferably an elastic or stretchable material so thatit retracts into the jacket when not in use, it could be a definedlength of material, which would be stored, preferably in the channel 9,when not in use. The length of the belt could then be adjusted using anadjustable buckle at its free ends to accommodate different sized users.

Other features and advantages of the invention are enumerated below.

-   -   1. The belt can be permanently attached to any clothing garment        that is worn over the shoulders.    -   2. For optimum performance, the belt should be positioned in the        upper part of the garment just below the armpit area in a        horizontal position.    -   3. The belt can be positioned lower in the garment and the        holding of the jacket will still work.    -   4. The length of the belt should be no more then the total        length between each opening placed in the jacket, e.g., under        each arm pit.    -   5. The length of the belt should extend past the opening just        enough so a fastening mechanism can be attached to each end.    -   6. The belt can be attached either on the outside or inside of        the garment.    -   7. Attaching the belt to the inner part of the garment is        preferred.    -   8. A cloth cover or flap separate from the actual material of        the outer garment can be then attached at the end of each        opening in the main shell of the garment to cover the fastening        mechanism when in a retracted position. The cover is intended to        cover the end of the belt but still allow the belt material to        pass through when the belt is in use.    -   9. The belt is then attached to the main body of the garment,        preferably at the mid point directly between each opening.    -   10. Permanently attaching the belt to the garment ensures the        belt stays in place and does not allow for the end of the belt        to be pulled into the jacket and keeps one end moving when the        other end is pulled.    -   11. For maximum performance, the belt should be attached to the        inner part of the garment.    -   12. Once the belt is attached to the garment, the belt material        can be covered with an outer layer of material provided the        material is sewn on jacket with respect to the outer sides of        the belt and the belt is free to pull out and retract back        within the covered opening of the garment.    -   13. The belt can also be held in place using cloth loops in        place of the solid piece of material.    -   14. The belt can be positioned at or near the bottom of a long        garment and the belt can be used to gather the bottom portion of        the long garment to transform the jacket into one with a shorter        length.        Construction material:    -   a) The belt can be made of any pliable material that stretches        and returns to its original shape.    -   b) The width of the material can be any size provided the        material is strong enough to attach at the ends and hold the        weight of the garment in place.    -   c) The belt can be made of any non expanding flexible material        but using this type of material will warrant manually        reinserting the belt back into the pocket on the garment.    -   d) When using a material that does not expand, an adjustment        buckle should be used to control or adjust the length of the        belt    -   e) Plastic buckles with both a male and female end can be        attached to each end of the belt to secure the two ends of the        belt together.    -   f) It is possible to use metal buckles and or a plastic or metal        snap in place of the plastic buckle to attach the ends of the        belt.    -   g) Hook and loop fasteners or other similar materials in place        of buckles or snaps can be used to connect both ends of the        belt.        Uses for the invention:    -   i. The invention is designed to allow any outer shell garment to        be pulled off one's shoulders and worn around one's waist        without tying sleeves together.    -   ii. The inventive design allows both young and old to go from a        cold environment into a wanner heated area.    -   iii. The design allows both young and old to wear a jacket to        the store and remove the jacket form their shoulders without        over heating and leaving both hands free.    -   iv. The design allows a sports fan to enter a stadium where bags        or fanny packs are not allowed without having to carry a jacket        or rain suit.    -   v. Most outerwear garments are bulky and the inventive design        allows the user to attach the belt together behind the person's        back instead of in the front of the person. The belt can be        attached between the user's shoulder blades pulling the garment        tight against the person's chest. This is extremely beneficial        to the archery hunter who is shooting a bow and can't allow the        garment to interfere with their shot. The invention is extremely        beneficial to the construction worker who maybe isn't wearing        several layers of cloths and their jacket would be loose if not        for the back attachment.    -   vi. The invention is extremely useful to workers who maybe have        to wear disposable outer garments where one size fits all.    -   vii. The invention is extremely useful to motorcycle riders when        wearing a rain suit and may not have layers of cloths on        underneath.    -   viii. The invention is also useful for garments that are full or        have an extended length so as to allow the garment to be used in        a full length capacity or reduced length, depending on the        desire or need of the wearer.

As such, an invention has been disclosed in terms of preferredembodiments thereof which fulfills each and every one of the objects ofthe present invention as set forth above and provides a new and improvedjacket and method of carrying the jacket or an item using a beltarrangement of the jacket.

Of course, various changes, modifications and alterations from theteachings of the present invention may be contemplated by those skilledin the art without departing from the intended spirit and scope thereof.It is intended that the present invention only be limited by the termsof the appended claims.

We claim:
 1. A jacket comprising: a jacket body having a pair ofsleeves; and at least one belt attached to the jacket body and adaptedto be extended from the jacket body with belt ends connectable togetherso that at least a part of the jacket body can be held around a user'sbody.
 2. The jacket of claim 1, wherein the belt is attached to thejacket body at at least one portion of the belt.
 3. The jacket of claim1, wherein the belt is hidden in the jacket body and each end of thebelt is extended from the jacket body through an opening in the jacketbody.
 4. The jacket of claim 3, wherein the openings are in an outer orinner surface of the jacket.
 5. The jacket of claim 1, wherein the beltis attached to the jacket at at least a mid portion of the belt.
 6. Thejacket of claim 1, wherein the belt is elastic.
 7. The jacket of claim1, wherein the belt is held by loops attached to the jacket body or heldin a channel formed in the jacket body.
 8. The jacket of claim 1,wherein the belt ends have buckles for connecting the belt endstogether.
 9. The jacket of claim 3, wherein each opening is located on awaist side portion or a bottom portion of the jacket.
 10. The jacket ofclaim 9, wherein each opening is located in an armpit area of thejacket.
 11. The jacket of claim 1, wherein a pair of belts are employed,with an end of each belt being connectable together.
 12. The jacket ofclaim 1, wherein the at least one belt is mounted to the jacket so thatends thereof are accessible from an inside of the jacket.
 13. The jacketof claim 12, wherein the at least one belt is mounted to an inside ofthe jacket with at least a portion hidden from view and at least ends ofthe at least one belt being exposed.
 14. The jacket of claim 12,comprising a pair of belts with an end of each belt adapted to beconnected together to hold the jacket.
 15. A method of carrying a jacketaround a mid section of a user comprising extending each end of the beltor belts from the jacket body of the jacket of claim 1 and connectingthe ends of the belt or belts together around the midsection of the useror an item being carried by the user.
 16. The method of claim 15,wherein arms of the user are in the jacket prior to the extending stepor the arms are removed from the sleeves of the jacket before theextending step.
 17. The method of claim 15, wherein the arms of the userare in the sleeves of the jacket and the belt or belts are extendedaround an item positioned at a back of the user with the belts endsbeing connected together to carry the item around a user's back.